346: Chapter 338: The maiden flight of the Black Bird, all eyes are on this.

News of Huaguo's upcoming launch of a new generation rocket was announced via the official website and reprinted by official media in various countries, quickly spreading across the globe.

The upper echelons of Ying Country and America were shaken.

Mr. Gao and Dumbledore had respectively notified their two countries that the progress of Huaguo's spacecraft project was extremely swift and would most likely be completed first.

They were mentally prepared for this, and as a result, the two countries accepted the fact that Huaguo would be the first to launch a spacecraft; they just never expected it to be ahead to this extent.

How on earth did Huaguo do it?

Neo's side had only recently started work, so they hadn't yet clearly felt the difficulties they would encounter during the construction of the spacecraft.

NW was different. The construction progress of her own country's spacecraft was already more than half finished, and she understood very well how difficult it was. Therefore, she was even more surprised than Neo that Huaguo had actually built the spacecraft in only about a year.

Huaguo would certainly not reveal the details of the project. The two of them couldn't figure out a result, so they temporarily put the matter aside and turned their curiosity to another question.

When a new type of rocket is produced, the maiden flight cannot directly carry out a manned mission; that would be a disregard for the lives of astronauts. The normal situation should be to first launch an unmanned rocket into space, collect data related to the rocket's operation, and perfect any potential loopholes before carrying out a manned mission once there is confidence.

But Huaguo's official announcement was "the new manned spacecraft is about to lift off," which meant Huaguo intended to skip the first step and go directly to the second step.

Aren't they afraid of an accident?

Even with theoretical verification, the maiden flight of a new rocket carries great risk. After all, humans are still too unfamiliar with space, and no one can predict what kind of changes will occur.

Huaguo has always had a steady style and has never been so reckless.

NW and Neo even suspected whether the writer had been negligent and made a typo when drafting the news headline. On second thought, it was the primary official website after all; it was impossible to make such a low-level mistake.

After thinking back and forth without a clue, they couldn't suppress their curiosity and requested a visit in the name of "hoping to observe on-site." After receiving Huaguo's consent, they immediately sent teams there.

...

Mountain range near NH, cave base.

The Director stood in the middle of the hall of the underground workshop, arms folded across his chest, looking up at the huge spacecraft that had already been completed.

According to the general concept of spacecraft, the term "rocket" is easier for the public to understand, but the Director still firmly believed it should be called a "spaceship."

In the empty and vast construction site, the spaceship lay quietly on the steel floor, and workers were dismantling the scaffolding around it.

It's so beautiful.

The Director's gaze as he stared at the spaceship revealed a touch of obsession.

Its hull was like the UFOs depicted in early science fiction movies—overall flat and oval-shaped, with lines full of aesthetic beauty. The outer shell was bright silver, and when the light from the incandescent lamps fell on it, it was incredibly dazzling.

At this moment, the Director suddenly understood why those aerospace experts were willing to dedicate their entire lives to the cause of the motherland.

There was love for the motherland, and also a longing for humanity to head into space.

"Director, it's estimated that all the equipment can be dismantled in another hour. Uh, do we wait for Immortal Xu?" Yue Ruo walked up behind him and asked.

Xuan Niao was the name of the spaceship, decided after discussion by the entire design team.

"Wait for Immortal Xu."

After speaking, the Director raised his finger and pointed at the Xuan Niao, asking with a silly smile, "Do you think she's pretty?"

Yue Ruo looked over and nodded. "Pretty."

"I'm really looking forward to the scene of her soaring in space. How spectacular will that be?"

"Won't it be launched in two days?"

"Waiting even one more second feels like torture to me."

Yue Ruo shrugged, indicating she was powerless.

The two of them had nothing to do for the time being, so they stood there chatting for an hour, watching the machines, equipment, and so on surrounding the spaceship being dismantled one by one.

"Director Li." The person in charge of the engineering team came from afar, greeting him loudly, "It's all dismantled. So, uh, how do we move it out?"

The ceiling of the underground workshop was not built as a flip-top door, and the entrance size was only enough for large equipment to enter and exit. Immortal Xu helping to transport the spaceship was a secret; except for the high-level officials of the Special Investigation Bureau and several big shots who designed the spaceship, no one else knew, which was why the person in charge asked.

"No rush, you'll know in a bit." The project had lasted for a year, and the Director was very familiar with the person in charge, so he put an arm around his shoulder. "How about it? Do you feel a sense of accomplishment building this spaceship?"

"Definitely." Hearing that everything was prepared, the person in charge also felt relieved and chatted happily with the Director. "I even took this opportunity to see the Immortal several times from afar."

"Hahaha... Immortal Xu is very kind. You haven't spoken to Immortal Xu yet, have you?

When the spaceship is launched, I'll take you to meet him."

"Really? Are you just trying to make me happy?"

"Hey, we've known each other for a year. When have I ever lied to you?"

"You said it. If I really get to talk to him, I'll give you those few bottles of good wine I've been saving."

"It's a deal. We'll have a good drink then."

The two middle-aged men turned the conversation to alcohol in just three sentences. Yue Ruo curled her lip, finding it a bit boring, and took the initiative to find a topic: "How do you think Immortal Xu will transport the Xuan Niao out?

Cut a hole in the ceiling with a sword, and then carry it away by hand while flying?"

"Probably not. That's too crude. It should be a bit more elegant."

"How can it be elegant?"

"Hmm..." The Director looked at the ground and pondered for a while. "Didn't Immortal Xu make wooden boxes appear with a wave of his hand when he delivered materials last time?"

"Uh, Director Li means the Immortal has a spatial magical treasure to put the Xuan Niao inside and then release it when he gets to the destination?" the person in charge guessed.

"Magical treasure? Ho, you're quite knowledgeable."

"You flatter me. I read it in novels."

Yue Ruo burst into laughter and explained, "The Mountain Gate is different from the Immortals in our common knowledge. The weapons and things they use aren't called magical treasures."

"Then what are they called?"

The Director scratched the back of his head. "Come to think of it, Immortal Xu really hasn't said what the tools used by the Mountain Gate are called. The moon bright sword used by Xiao Luo is just called the moon bright sword."

"I'll ask the next time I see him..."

"Director!" Zhao Qi ran down the stairs next to the main door. "A call from Kyoto."

"What did they say?"

"Ying Country and America want to visit and observe the launch of the Xuan Niao. Kyoto's side..."

"Agreed?" the Director interrupted him, his tone a bit displeased.

"Not yet. The call was just to ask if the visit would expose secrets. If there's a risk, then refuse."

The Director's knitted brows smoothed out. "Reply to Kyoto that there is no risk in the visit. Let them come."

"Okay." Zhao Qi turned and ran off.

"Sigh, I heard Ying Country and America are also working on spacecraft. How's their progress?" The person in charge nudged the Director lightly with his elbow.

"They're keeping it under wraps; not a single bit of news has leaked out." As the Director spoke, a look of pride appeared on his face. "They must be slower than us; otherwise, they wouldn't have applied in such a frantic hurry... Immortal Xu?"

A white-clothed figure quietly appeared beside them. The Director hurriedly said, "We're already prepared."

"Mm." Immortal Xu nodded slightly. "Just tell Xu where to transport it."

...

The name of the spaceship was announced, and the officials kept building momentum and warming up. The enthusiasm for discussion among the Huaguo people grew higher and higher.

The Xuan Niao was transported to the rocket launch base established in the mountainous area. There were still a few days before the launch date, and nearby residents had already arrived in advance to set up tents on the surrounding mountaintops. At the same time, people from cities further away were also arriving one after another.

The visiting teams from America and Ying Country arrived the day before the launch.

When the Director met them at the airport, he was stunned to see NW and Neo walking down from the two planes respectively.

This was indeed greatly beyond the Director's expectations.

A spacecraft built in cooperation with the transcendent is indeed worth paying attention to, but it's not to the point where you would personally run over here, is it? Don't you need to look after things at home?

Especially Neo—do you think you've regained your youth like NW? How old are you? Aren't you afraid that the fatigue of travel will break your body?

The Director didn't show any of his internal grumbling on his face. He fulfilled his duty by leading them to their respective cars, intending to go to the hotel to rest first and set out for the launch base early tomorrow morning.

However, the two of them declined in unison, stating that they were in great spirits and could go right now.

The Director was completely baffled.

The Xuan Niao was not just out in the open; it was housed in a simple assembled shed with heavy guards outside. Before ignition, except for a few people with authorization to enter and exit freely, no one else could go in, not even important figures like NW and Neo.

You can't even see the Xuan Niao if you go today, so what are you in such a hurry to go for?

The Director couldn't figure it out, but he didn't refuse them either.

There were rooms at the launch base, but the living environment was not as comfortable as a hotel.

The Director also explained this to the two of them. They stated unconcernedly that a simple environment for a residence was good, and they had long wanted to experience a common room.

Since you've all said so, then of course I won't have any objection.

The Director gave orders through his headset, and the convoy changed its destination, heading straight for the mountain launch base.

The airport wasn't far from there, and although the base was said to be in the mountains, smooth asphalt roads were laid throughout the entire journey, making it very convenient for cars to travel.

In only forty-some minutes, the convoy drove into the base.

After getting out of the car and looking at the large area of tents scattered messily on the distant mountaintops, NW said with some emotion: "The citizens of your country seem to be very focused on the maiden flight of the Xuan Niao."

"When Your Highness's spacecraft lifts off, there will surely be the same grand occasion." Neo walked over leaning on his cane.

With a proper smile on her face in response to the conversation, she turned to look at the Director: "May we admire your country's Xuan Niao?"

The Director pointed to the shed in the middle of the vast open space on the right: "The Xuan Niao is there. You two will be able to see it when it's launched tomorrow."

The two of them heard the hint of polite refusal in his words and, having expected it, were not disappointed.

"I think I'll be so expectant that I won't be able to sleep all night."

"Me too," Neo chimed in with a smile.

The Director returned the smile and turned to lead the two to their respective rooms.

...

Early the next morning.

The sun slowly rose from behind the mountains in the east, and the morning light spilled over the range, its warmth waking everyone in the tents.

"Quick, quick, quick, get up, get up!"

"What's the hurry? Ignition isn't until noon."

"If we're late, there won't be any good spots left!"

Everyone haphazardly stuffed a few packs of biscuits into their pockets, grabbed their binoculars, and crawled out of their tents one after another, racing toward positions with an open view.

This mountain range wasn't considered steep, but it was several hundred meters high after all. The place where the public camped was on the mountaintop, and with so many people, it was easy for accidents like falling off a cliff to happen when it got crowded. Considering this, the Director had sent out personnel early on to set up a cordon along the edge of the cliff.

At this time, everyone was gathered five meters away from the cordon, huddling together and looking excitedly at the shed located in the mountain hollow.

There were so many people that those who arrived a few minutes late were squeezed outside and couldn't even see the cordon, let alone the shed.

So everyone showed their own prowess; husbands hoisted their wives onto their shoulders, muttering "take a clear picture," while the more clever ones gave up on squeezing into the crowd and turned to run to higher slopes a bit further away.

They were all using binoculars to watch anyway, so being a few dozen meters further away didn't make much difference.

The sun gradually climbed to the highest point in the sky. When everyone felt a hint of scorching heat, a team of staff wearing uniforms walked out of the base building and entered the shed.

Someone watching a launch for the first time asked in confusion: "What are they doing?"

"Dismantling the obstruction, otherwise it would damage the rocket." Someone more familiar with the process helped explain.

"It's not a rocket; the news said it's a spaceship."

"Is there a difference?"

"I think the official's special emphasis on the name definitely has a special purpose."

"Hey—" The person who spoke first raised their binoculars, "It's true, the shed is moving."

In everyone's field of vision, the roof of the shed lifted to the left, flipped, and sat flush against the wall. Then, the four walls retreated in different directions.

"There are wheels under the walls!" someone sharp-eyed shouted loudly.

"Nonsense, otherwise how would they pull them?"

"You just know everything, don't you?"

"Hey, I tell you..."

"Look! The Xuan Niao!"

An exclamation interrupted the impending argument, and everyone hurriedly raised their binoculars to look at the hollow.

It was exactly noon, and the sunlight fell on the bright silver hull of the Xuan Niao, as if dressing it in a golden coat.

"So, so beautiful!"

"I told you!" the guy from before said excitedly, "The news emphasized 'spaceship'; there's definitely something big going on!"

"Strange, why don't I see the propulsion device in the back? Is it in the belly?" someone muttered.

Once he said that, everyone immediately noticed.

That's right, no matter how you design the exterior, there always has to be a propulsion device; otherwise, where would the thrust come from?

"Uh, could it be anti-gravity?" someone guessed after looking for a long time without finding anything.

"Isn't that just nonsense?"

"Then what do you say it is?"

"Anyway, it can't be anti-gravity."

A person nearby joined in with interest: "I agree.

Current technological reserves simply cannot achieve the mature application of anti-gravity. A semi-finished product might be possible, but this is manned aerospace; using a semi-finished product is equivalent to disregarding human life."

"Not necessarily. The news said the Xuan Niao was built in cooperation with the transcendent. The application of anti-gravity shouldn't be difficult for the transcendent, right?"

"Aren't the transcendent on the side of immortal cultivation? Do they understand modern technology too?"

"Brother, you've read too many novels. The heritage of the transcendent has lasted for tens of thousands of years. They've been watching while humanity developed. Do you think they don't understand science?

Besides, how long has Immortal Xu lived? Over a thousand years, right?

If you take a third of a thousand years to come into contact with science, even if you don't become a top scientist—which requires talent—it wouldn't be hard to understand science, would it?"

The number of people joining in gradually increased, and the topic strayed further and further.

This debate lasted for half an hour until the base's loudspeakers broadcast the ignition command.

"xuan niao ship preparing for launch. Countdown begins: ten, nine, eight..."

It's coming!

Everyone lost interest in arguing and stared wide-eyed at the Xuan Niao lying quietly on the concrete ground.